B. B. Pak. On the issue of diplomatic negotiations on the eve of the Russo-Japanese war of 1904–1905 // Petersburg Historical Journal, no. 1, 2023, pp. 128–139

Abstract:
This article highlights the course of Russian-Japanese negotiations in 1903–1904, analyzes the positions of the parties, examines the reasons for the intransigence of the Japanese side in the negotiations on the conclusion of a new agreement, studied the reaction in the ruling spheres of Russia to the amendments of the Japanese government to the Russian text of the agreement, the nature of Russian-Korean relations on the eve of the Russian-Japanese war. The author focuses on Japan’s responsibility for starting the war, showing Japan’s aggressive policy in Korea.

Results:
The essence of the Japanese proposals, tantamount to a demand from the Russian government for the formal recognition of Japan’s protectorate over Korea, is analyzed, attempts by Japanese representatives in Seoul to intimidate the Korean Emperor Gojong and impose an agreement on the appointment of a Japanese resident in Seoul to manage domestic and foreign policy to ensure the “moral right” to establish its undivided dominance on the Korean Peninsula, the request of the Korean emperor for the protection and patronage of Russia, the position of the Russian side during the negotiations is studied, based on the preference to continue negotiations with Japan in order to avoid an armed clash, perception and grade.

Materials and methods:
The article is based on newly discovered archival materials and published sources.

Conclusions:
A study of history shows that Russian diplomacy showed great pliability, seeking to delay the maturing of a military conflict. By the final period of the negotiations, the Russian side on the Korean question had agreed to meet Japan halfway on almost all points, seeking only to preserve the mutual obligation to respect the independence, territorial integrity and inviolability of the Korean Empire.

Keywords:
Russian-Japanese negotiations, Nicholas II, Emperor Kojong, Komura Jutaro, S. Kurino, R.R. Rosen, A.A. Abaza, V.N. Lamzdorf, E.A. Alekseev, S. Yu. Witte, A. I. Pavlov, Yalujiang enterprise, Special meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, amendments, proposals, concessions, new course, Special Viceroyalty in the Far East, Special Committee of the Far East, draft Russo-Japanese agreement, neutral zone, predominant Japanese influence in Korea, Russian special interests in Manchuria, Korean independence, war, Russia, Japan, England, North Korea, Manchuria.

Author:
Pak, Bella Borisovna — Doctor of Historical Sciences, Leading Researcher, Head of the Cabinet (Laboratory) of Korean History and Culture of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
E-mail: pakbell7@gmail.com

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